Most Consumers Buy Private Label Without Realizing, Report

a name-brand item, and 44% (rising to 70% among those earning $150k+) are more likely to try a private label if it’s marketed as a dupe of a high-end product. Brand Loyalty Shifts: Only 48% identify as brand loyal, while 32% are “brand curious” and 20% are motivated by price and savings.

Switching Behavior: 71% would try a private label if their preferred brand was out of stock, and 45% have permanently switched after a positive experience. Income Differences: 44% of those earning $150k+ feel image-conscious about buying private label, compared to 27% ($51K–$149K) and 17% ($50K or less).

Popular Categories: Grocery (56%), cleaning supplies (38%), clothing (34%), and personal care/beauty (33%) are the top private label categories. Advocacy and Traffic: 66% recommend private label products to others, and 34% are more likely to shop at a retailer for its private label offerings.

The New Rules of Brand Loyalty “Shoppers aren’t loyal to brand names the way they used to be. They’re loyal to price, quality and marketing. This creates a highly competitive arena where the best–yet not necessarily the most well-known–brands will win,” Greg Petro, CEO of First Insight, said. “When a…